The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, a relatively new CPU based on the Zen 5 architecture that AMD has described as being the ultimate solution for the PC gaming market, coupling Zen 5 cores with second-generation AMD 3D V-Cache technology for premium performance, may spontaneously burn up under typical usage (i.e., stock settings), according to images of a damaged 9800X3D that a redditor shared to the r/pcmasterrace subreddit yesterday.
“I’m feeling a bit sad,” a user by the name of t0pli began before explaining that their PC “just turned off” one day while watching a TV series, after a mere 20 days of use, leading them to discover what is apparently now a damaged $479 CPU.
“This is a 9800x3d and a Nova x870e,” the redditor went on to clarify. “All bought and assembled within the last month. It’s been running smooth, no high temps registered at any point. I keep HWMonitor open usually and especially with new builds.”
See below for a full shot of the damage that the redditor shared, which shows a portion of a premium X870E motherboard that ASRock has described as being “the most significant energy discharge ever witnessed by mankind,” one that is “super-powerful” and represents the performance that only their motherboards can deliver.
“This has been left running exclusively at stock since installation,” t0pli added in a later reply. “I’m not really into OC at all, so I usually just set RAM profiles and get on with the gaming. This was no exception.”
It looks like Gamers Nexus’ Steve Burke has offered to buy the CPU to conduct what is presumably an in-depth investigation, but t0pli says that they already sent the chip in for RMA and that the store won’t return it to them.
“With the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, AMD has re-engineered its cutting-edge on-chip memory solution with 2nd Gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology,” AMD said of the CPU when it was announced last year, on Halloween. “The 64MB cache memory has been relocated below the processor, which puts the core complex die (CCD) closer to the cooling solution to help keep the ‘Zen 5’ cores cooler, delivering high clock rates and providing up to an average 8% gaming performance improvement compared to our last-gen generation and up to an average 20% faster than the competition.”
“This revolutionary change in placement allows for extreme overclocking of the processor. It’s the first X3D processor to be fully unlocked, empowering enthusiasts and gamers to push its performance to new limits.”